Jazz and Blues Lounge

Dave Brubek at Ravinia

by balaspa on June 19th, 2008

There is this very cool outdoor music theater and venue in north-suburban Chicago and it is known as Ravinia. For a long, long time it was a music venue strictly for classical music. The entire atmosphere is kind of geared for it. The lawn is actually flat, like a park, with trees and things in the middle of it. There is a pavilion, but it’s small. Basically, you are encouraged to bring a blanket, some of your own food and a bottle of wine, stretch out with you and loved one under the stars and enjoy a romantic evening listening to classical music.

Then, in recent years, the people who run Ravinia have started to increase the music selections at the venue. They have recently added rock acts, for example. But one of the things they do quite well, is jazz. Check out THIS particular concert coming up on June 21.

From their website:

Who’s playing: Dave Brubeck Quartet
Ramsey Lewis Trio Saturday
When it is: June 21, 2008
What time: 7:30 PM
The costs: Pavilion Reserved seats: $50
Lawn: $10

“THE RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO In a program that includes the world premiere of Ramsey’s tribute to love and inspiration: “Muses and Amusements” With special guests THE TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET

plus

THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET performing with an 18-piece big band conducted by Russell Gloyd

Hear Dave perform his biggest hit big-band style!”

Now, that is a classic team-up that you would not want to miss. So, my pick of this month, a sfar as jazz goes, and particularly this coming weekend, would be this concert. You can’t beat the venue and you can’t beat the performers.

Check out Ravinia’s other concerts when you click on the link above. They have a lot of great shows and there really isn’t a musical style they don’t have play there anymore. They do a lot of great things and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

POSTED IN: Bands, Chicago, jazz